Kenya's Catholic Church is grieving the death of Bishop Emeritus Philip Sulumeti, who passed away on November 9, 2025, at Nairobi Hospital. He was the first bishop of the Kakamega Diocese and served for nearly five decades. Prayers and condolences have poured in from the church and its leaders.
Bishop Emeritus Rt Rev Philip Sulumeti passed away on the night of November 9, 2025, around 11pm, while receiving treatment at Nairobi Hospital. In a statement, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) said, "We join the Catholic Diocese of Kakamega and the entire Church in Kenya in mourning the passing on of Bishop Emeritus Rt. Rev. Philip Sulumeti, who went to be with the Lord last night at Nairobi Hospital." The bishops eulogized him as a cleric dedicated to service, humility, and commitment to the gospel.
Kakamega's current bishop, Joseph Obanyi, confirmed the death and urged the faithful to pray for the late bishop. "I request you to keep him in prayers, remembering him in the masses, as we begin making arrangements for his burial, which shall be communicated in due course," Obanyi stated. He extended condolences to the people of God in the Kakamega Diocese, relatives, and friends, pledging prayerful accompaniment during this difficult time.
Sulumeti was born on August 15, 1937, and ordained as a priest on January 6, 1966, in the Kisumu Diocese. In 1972, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Kisumu and became full bishop in August that year. In December 1976, he succeeded Bishop Joannes de Reeper as Bishop of Kisumu. On February 28, 1978, he was appointed the first bishop of the Kakamega Diocese, serving until his retirement on December 5, 2014.
At 88 years old, his clerical journey spanned nearly five decades and shaped the spiritual and social landscape of Western Kenya. His death marks the end of a legacy of service and development in the Catholic Church.